Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschDecember 17, 2015

As much as we would like to think otherwise, in politics, not everyone can be a winner. To put it another way, as Judge Smails did in the eminently quotable Caddyshack: “The world needs ditch-diggers, too.” Few will disagree that 2015 was a particularly fertile political year, one that produced a bumper crop of political disappointments – that’s what we get […]

Ryan RayDecember 14, 2015

George Gainer isn’t slowing down his campaign for state Senate against Rep. Matt Gaetz just because Sen. Jack Latvala – who recruited him to run in the Panhandle Senate District 1 seat – recently gave up the ghost in his bid for Senate President. Gainer, a longtime Bay County Commissioner with deep roots in Northwest Florida, played on those origins […]

Jim RosicaDecember 2, 2015

Richard Corcoran, who will be Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives at the same time Joe Negron is Senate President, called him a “good friend” and “an intelligent and principled leader.” Corcoran sat in the front row at Negron’s designation ceremony Wednesday. The Land O’ Lakes Republican had his own designation ceremony in September. “I […]

Phil AmmannDecember 2, 2015

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Florida students with disabilities could have expanded educational options in a bill that passed its final Senate committee hearing Wednesday morning. LobbyTools is reporting that SB 672, sponsored by Niceville Republican Don Gaetz, is now on its way to the Senate floor. If passed, the bill would expand the one-year Personal Learning Scholarship Account program, […]

Peter SchorschDecember 1, 2015

Before you scan through to see who made the very first INFLUENCE 100 list, please allow me to make something very clear. (A link to the digital copy of INFLUENCE Magazine is here.) It’s my list. I’m responsible for the facepalming, out-of-left-field choices, as well as the glaring sins of omission. I’m the one who […]

Ryan RayNovember 16, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday afternoon his administration will not grant requests to relocate some 425 displaced Syrians inside Florida’s borders, and is asking Congress to help ensure it cannot be coerced to reconsider. Scott addressed the issue in a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The governor told the Congressional Republican leaders though […]

Ryan RayNovember 16, 2015

A prominent father-son pair of Northwest Florida lawmakers are calling on Gov. Rick Scott to join a push by a number of conservative governors to defy the Obama administration’s plan to accept more refugees displaced from war-torn Syria. On Monday, state Sen. Don Gaetz and Rep. Matt Gaetz sent a letter to Scott urging him to not accept […]

Drew WilsonNovember 9, 2015

After a six-figure haul in October Republican George Gainer has passed Shalimar Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz in on-hand money in the race for Senate District 1. The Gainer campaign brought in $118,590 last month and spent $46,887, leaving the Bay County Commissioner with just under $573,000 cash on-hand heading into November. Gaetz’s report wasn’t as […]

Phil AmmannNovember 6, 2015

George Gainer doesn’t talk about Northwest Florida values. He lives them. That’s the gist of the latest mailing from the North Florida businessman, who faces state Rep. Matt Gaetz in the Republican Senate District 1 primary. The ad, set to hit area mailboxes next week, strives to heat up the battle for conservatives by hitting […]

Jim RosicaOctober 30, 2015

Two Republican state senators have filed omnibus education legislation that, among other things, would ease eligibility requirements to play in high school athletics. Sens. Don Gaetz of Niceville and Kelli Stargel of Lakeland filed the 25-page bill (SB 684) on Friday for the 2016 Legislative Session. Lawmakers have filed legislation five years in a row aimed at the Florida […]

Tag: Don Gaetz

The 5 most disappointing Florida politicians of 2015

George Gainer goes local in latest TV ad in SD 1

Richard Corcoran promises blue skies with Joe Negron

Bill to expand education for students with disabilities passes final Senate committee

Here is the INFLUENCE 100: The most influential people in Florida politics

Rick Scott will refuse 425 Syrian refugees, seek Congressional action to stop federal relocation plans

Don Gaetz, Matt Gaetz call on Rick Scott to refuse Syrian refugees

After October haul, George Gainer passes Matt Gaetz in on-hand cash for SD 1 race

Direct mail roundup: George Gainer doesn’t talk NW Florida values, he lives them

Far-reaching high school athletics bill filed in Senate